Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-12
PLEADING A PEOPLES CAUSE
William OBrien Presents the Evils Of
Eviction at Montreal.
A Grand Reception in the Land OF
the Cruel Peer-Exciting Times
Anticipated on Arrival
at Toronto.
O'Brien Mt Montreal.

itor of United Ireland, arrived b ere this
morning. His journey was without Incl.
dent. At st. Johns, Quebec, a deputation
from the Montreal National league boarded |
the train. An immense crowd was present |
on the arrival of the train In this city, who |
chcered Justify as O'Brien stepped on the |
platform. An address of welcome was read |
by the president of the National league of
Montreal.
OBrien in reply thanked his fellow-coun-
trymen for their hearty reception and pre-
dicted from this auspicious beginning the |
success of his mission. lie then went on to
say: 81 came not to offer offense to any section
or class of the Canadian people. Quite the
contrary. came not to ineddle with Cana
dian affairs: not to deal with the career of
Lord LansdOwne as governor general, but as
the extermnator of five hundred human be-
ings groansl. This being free country we
cannot expect everybody to agree with u.s.
but believe we have such strength of justice
and truth Oh our side that when all have
heard our story all will be convinced, and
that the Canadian people will stretch ont
their hands and save the lives and property
Of these five hundred poor tenants
of Luggacurran, for both are at
this moment at your mercies
and IN your hands" There was tremendous
rush 10 SHAKE nanuS Wlln " BTlen aI tLc con-
clusion of the speech.
From the complete success In every way
attending the meeting this evening, at
which Editor William OBrien of United
Ireland, delivered his address against Lord
Lansd0wne, most of the rumors have been
dscredited regarding anything in the nature
of a disturbance, so far, at all events, as this
city is concerned. The meeting was held
IIish National league. The hall which is
capable of accommodating 1000 people, was
filled by an enthusiastic audience amongst
whom was a large representation OF French
Canadians. During several stages OF the ad-
dress, Lord LanSdOwne'S name was hissed,
OBrien's appearance on the platform was
the signal tor an outburst OF cheers, which
first duty Is to thank the people OF Mon
trea and from the bottom of my heart
do, for the extraordinary kindness l have
received since | entered their beautiful city.
both from those who agree with me and
from those who perhaps differ from me-
desire at the outset to tackle the ques-
tion. why have come to Canada to ask
hearing and to ask yOnr sympathy. | Will
tell you in one word because the homes of
the poor people in Luggacurran. far away
in Ireland, are desolate tonight, because the
man VINO is responsible for it, is here in the
highest post OF honor in this great free land.
! am only stranger, no doubt, and Lord
LansdOwne is a very great, rich lord, but,
Judging by the feeling have experienced IN
Montreal, to-day, l don't think need apollo
giZe, for coming here in our hour of need to
claim your sympathy and your assistance to
save the suffering tenantry of Ireland from
eXterminatlon, and an extermlnatiOn of
many of the Canadian governor general. 1t
Is no pleasure to us to worry you with our
grievances, but where else are we to turn,
when Lord LansdOwne sends soldiers and
armed police, to diSpOcseSS every tenant in
Luggacurran and to fling the old men and
children out into the bitches? Our enemies
are not content with disarmlng us in physi-
cal sense. The tory government are passing
rlt IA
moment, to disarm us even of our organiza-
tion, to break down the only protection the
tenantry of Ireland have left and to place
us on plank bed, If we attempt to appeal to
public opinion against the cruel deeds
OF Lord Lansdowne. The whole country
may be swept clear and plunged into wretch
ednesS and sorrow, but it will be crime for
us to organize public meeting, or to write
an article in newspaper denouncing it..
Where then are we to turn If not to public
opinion of kindred lands. Or is it to be a
crime also for us to appeal to you, our coun-
tenantry of Luggacurran and you alone can
save them from fate that overlook, perhaps,
the fathers of many man, listening to me,
had all their own way in Ireland: If we
come to Canada to ask you to befrlend lis
and to save our people, 1t is because
this IS not the first time that
ana their OppressOrs. Our great leader, Par
NELL has said he never again would beg the
world for aims for Irish landlOrdism. We
are now begging, not for aims out ito to enable
lOrdism. We do not come to ask you fol
100000 for charity any more but to ask you
to consider what use Lord Lansdowne is
making of the 100000 year which you give
him, or which you enable him to get; and il
that be put to bad and inhuman use, we ask
you to convey your censure OF Lord Lans
dOwne, as you have right to do, as the citi
ZenS OF a Self-gOyerning nation. The day
you send Lord kansdowne home with tht
stamp of Canadian dissatisfaction on his
GROW. you will enable us to laugh at coercion
and strengthen the arms of Gladstone, to pu
an end to evictions for all time
Mr.. OBrlen then quoted from lengthy re
ports in the Dublin Freeman journal of evic
tions on Lord Lansdown's estate. lie then
evictions, in which the aged, intirm and slci
were thrown out of their cabins, helpless il
snow and rain, he proceeded. the Luggacur
ran tenants were honest peaceful and inof-
fensiye, so tar as crime Is concerned. Tht
locality Is simply stainless. During thes
barbarous evctions, not blow was struck
nor stone flung, and what have these people
ever done that they should deserve to be rob
bed of nome and land? Simply sought al
allotment in their rents. attachments les
than Earl Cowper's royal commission. A
landlord commission appointed ,;
less equitable, less than the land commission
courts are granting on neighbOring estates
and finally reductions to which Lord LaHs
uOWne s own MDltratOT, MI, Dennlug, CAV
his assent and approval in black and white
The next news we got from Ottawa, wa
that Lord Lansdowne threatened us with
hot II not bloody reception, If we venture,
TO Canada to proclaim the wrongs of lrisl
tenantry. appeal to the people of Canad
against Lord Lansdowne's savage sentenc
against the whole peaceable population
Substantially the Canadian flag foated owe
the evicting army, and 1t was CANADIAN
money that hired the emergency men, t
do their dreadful work. l call upon you I
free the Canadian name from this and to le
Lord Lansdowne and the world know
that when Cnnada stretches out an arr
to Ireland, 1t was not to wound or suDjugat
her but to save her. O'Brien closed with
glowing picture of lreland's gratitude to Car
ada when home rule should be achieved, an
he was cheered again and again. Beior
leaving the hotel for the meeting O'Brie
sent the following telegram to Mayor HOY
land, of Toronto. II perceive you have col
vened meeting Of citizens OF Toronto
demand an official prohibition OF nv mec
ing. Ii you will, in fair play, procure me
hearing, shall esteem II aprvilege TO attel
your meeting TO explain the motives and ol
jects of my visit" After arriving at the la
and before the meeting opened, O'Brien dre
up the following resolution, which. after
had concluded his address, was passed am
Anthn fahA